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What is
Freemasonry?
Freemasonry: The Craft
For
centuries, millions of men of every race, color, creed, and political
persuasion throughout the world have found in the Symbolic Lodges of
Freemasonry the light to guide their search for answers to eternal
questions: What is the meaning of life? The nature of God and
man?
Freemasonry
is a system of morality, veiled in allegory, illustrated by symbols. Not a
religion but religious in character, it is a philosophy of ethical conduct
which imparts moral and social virtues and fosters brotherly love. Its
tenets have endured since man turned the first pages of civilization. They
embody the understanding by which man can transcend ordinary experience
and build "a house not made with hands" in harmony with the Great
Architect of the universe.
Yet
Freemasonry can never conflict with a man's relationship to God or fellow
man. Sectarian religious or partisan political discussion in a lodge is
strictly prohibited. Every Mason stands equal among his brothers,
regardless of walk of life, and none is turned away for financial
need.
The
purpose of the Ancient Craft of Freemasonry is to unfold a message where
"truth abides in fullness", invoking greater understanding of the inward
life and a spirit of fellowship in which every Mason can also lead a
better outward life.
Brotherhood At Work
Freemasonry
has been characterized as a fraternity devoted to high ideals and
admirable benevolence. Community service and charitable work are, in fact,
principal Masonic activities.
Easily the best-known is the world's
largest single charitable institution, the Shriners Hospitals for Crippled
Children and Burns Institutes, which are located throughout Canada, the
United States, and Mexico.
Other Masonic bodies support their own
statewide and national foundations for research, teaching, and treatment
for rehabilitation services for children with learning or speech
disorders, cancer, visual problems, and need of dental
restoration.
Masons everywhere assist distressed brother Masons and
their families. They also sponsor or support local projects ranging from
the recognition of the achievements of others to scholarship programs.
Masons serve as community volunteers and quietly extend help for countless
thousands - from providing a child with shoes to assisting the
handicapped.
Altogether, the budgets for these community services
exceed two million dollars per day, which Masons support without regard to
the Masonic affiliation of their recipients. With this spirit of working
together to serve mankind, brotherhood works well, indeed.
A
Progressive Science
Once
raised to the "sublime degree" of Master Mason in his "Blue" Lodge, a
Freemason steps onto a broad vista of opportunity for fellowship and
advancement.
First, concordant bodies of the York Rite [Royal
Arch, Cryptic
Masons, and Knights
Templar] and the Scottish
Rite offer ritual instruction for advanced degrees. Every Shriner
is a Mason first...as are members of other Masonic groups, each serving a
particular need or interest.
Advancement through these concordant
bodies not only invites participation in this Masonic network, but also
promotes a more comprehensive understanding of its sacramental system of
ceremonies, doctrines, and symbols.
A statewide Grand organization
governs every Masonic body, and all but the Blue Lodge have national
governing councils as well. These offer further opportunity for growth and
responsibility.
No Mason is required to advance beyond his Blue
Lodge or participate actively in its ritual or business affairs, but those
who do so find personal fulfillment in the rewards of public speaking,
teaching, community work, and even music and the dramatic
arts.
Whether their commitments are to Masonic ritual, study or
organizational and charitable work, most active Masons simply speak of the
camaraderie among trusted friends and a satisfying sense of
purpose.
Ancient Traditions
Though
its heritage in antiquity is unmistakable, modern speculative Freemasonry
was founded more recently upon the structure, ceremonies, and symbolism of
the lodge of operative or working freemen stonemasons, who built the
magnificent Medieval Gothic structures throughout much of Europe and
England.
Dated in 1390 A.D., the Regius Poem details the charter of
a lodge operating in the 900s A.D. "Masonry" then meant architecture and
encompassed most of the arts and sciences. Because lodges held knowledge
as competitive secrets, only trusted, capable companions were instructed
in the craft - and then only by degrees, orally and through symbols,
because of widespread illiteracy.
In the late Renaissance, lodges
of Freemasons began to accept as speculative masons those educated men who
were attracted by the elegance of Masonic traditions for philosophic
expression. In time they were passed into the inner circles.
Thus,
the framers of speculative Freemasonry began to describe a code of conduct
through the symbolic nature of architecture and the stonemason's craft.
Signaling modern speculative Freemasonry, the first Grand Lodge was
chartered in 1717. Constituent Symbolic Lodges were soon established
throughout the world.
The first Lodge in the Colonies was chartered
in Boston in 1733, and the first Lodge in New Jersey, St. Johns #1, was
chartered on July 3, 1787.
A Family Affair
The Blue
Lodge is the bedrock of the Masonic Family, yet there are several
appendant organizations which a Mason's family members can join to share
many more of their common interests and activities.
Family-oriented
activities include a range of social and entertainment programs, family
outings, and community service projects, as well as numerous occasions for
statewide or regional travel.
Among the appendant groups for
adults, both men and women may be welcome as members, but women typically
hold the principal offices. These groups include, among others, the Order
of the Eastern Star, Order of Amaranth, and Order of the Golden
Chain.
Groups for young people build self-esteem and prepare them
for citizenship through successful experience with responsibility and
leadership. Masonic youth groups include [Job's
Daughters and] the Order of
Rainbow for Girls, and the Order of
DeMolay for young men.
With many opportunities for growth and
friendship, these family-centered groups typically develop active social
calendars, so that the "Masonic family" truly is a family
affair.
Ask Yourself
Among
millions of Masons, not one was lawfully invited to apply for membership.
Our code of conduct prevents it. Thus, no faithful Mason can invite you.
Any Mason can obtain a Petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry for you,
but you must ask for it - and for good reason.
You must first ask
yourself if you're suitably prepared to enter the "gentle craft of
Masonry" ... to become a brother in the world's most exclusive fraternal
order. Few men are intellectually or spiritually prepared to understand or
appreciate even the more apparent meanings of Masonry.
Do you
reflect on the nature of man's existence and your obligations to God, your
family, and yourself?
If such ethical and moral questions hold
little interest for you, then you will gain little benefit from the
teachings of the Craft. But if you seek a more meaningful quality of life
- and the spirit of charity and good fellowship which flow from it - then
Freemasonry has much to offer.
We want you to know what we believe,
how we act, and what we do...and, then, should you become a Mason, to be
proud to be our Brother and to participate in our work. Only those who
desire membership because of their favorable impression of us should seek
a petition.
That's why you must "ask yourself".
What We Ask Of You
Any man
who is twenty-one years of age or older (eighteen or older, in Indiana)
and of good moral character, who comes well-recommended, and who believes
in a Supreme Being may petition to become a Freemason.
Two Important Questions
Is Freemasonry a religion?
No.
Neither is Freemasonry a religion, nor does it require a religious
affiliation. However, Masons worship in congregations of their choice.
Some are ordained priests, ministers, or rabbis; many serve in lay
capacities; and, others have no affiliation. With origins in
post-Reformation England, Freemasonry's allegories and rituals are rooted
in Judeo-Christian tradition. They exemplify mankind's universal
experience and inculcate an admired moral and ethical value system. With
respect to religion, Freemasonry simply teaches the "Fatherhood of God"
and the "Brotherhood of Man".
Is Freemasonry a "secret"
society?
No.
Freemasonry is a fraternity of men who are proud to be known as Masons.
Since our inception, the world has known of speculative Freemasonry and
its work. Freemasonry does, however, have some secrets, all extending from
historic tradition. Our modes of recognition, opening and closing
ceremonies, and rituals for conferring the Degrees of Masonry are our only
secrets. Thousands of works discussing Masonic history, traditions, craft,
and proceedings are widely available to the public.
Used by permission.
For more
information on Freemasonry, visit the Grand Lodge of Indiana website. Be sure to
read the Declaration of
Principles.
Freemasonry Riley, Indiana; Terre
Haute, Vigo County, Indiana Freemasonry
Riley Terre Haute Vigo Co. Riley Terre Haute
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